Day 3 - Solitude

Welcome to day 3, folks.

Today's card is "Solitude."

(click for a larger view)

The imagery of the card depicts a small building at the edge of a body of water, complete with a reflection. A light post seems to be providing extra illumination even though the moon is present at the top left of the card. In the background, behind the structure, is more water which leads me to believe this card is speaking of emotions.

I'm a pretty independent person and I enjoy solutide. Especially when it comes to a spiritual seclusion; not much else can be as powerful as that. However, there is also a flip side to solitude. Too much of it can create a depression for you. My instinct is telling me the light post is a sign to recognize when it is time to stay and time to return to the great big world.

I love Colette Baron Reid's writing style. It is so simple and to the point, yet filled with enough nuggets to get you thinking about the cards and how they relate to your particular situation. The guidebook also shares reversed meanings of the cards for those that choose to use them. At this time I do not, but I do recognize that there can be a little negative in the positive. I think you're going to be surprised at Colette's take of this card.

She suggests that this card is indicative of a need to calm the mind and meditate. It is time to go into a spiritual retreat. "This is not an advantageous time to ask questions or push forward in any way. Rather, it's a period for conscious retreat. What's called for now is to step back and take focus off of your life and your troubles." (p34)

Wait...what?

DAY 1: Visualize the life you want to create for yourself. You reap what you sow.
DAY 2: Wait out the storm. Good things are on the horizon.
DAY 3: Enter a state of meditative retreat and take the focus off of your life and troubles.

Wowzers. These oracle cards sure know what they're talking about, and what's more, they practically show us how they connect together.

Day 2 - Storm Fields

This card seems very negative upon first glance. What appears to be a tornado and rain shower seem to descend upon a lone house in the middle of a plain. In the foreground I can see a bee flying over a flower, oblivious to the storm in the background. This card feels as though it is warning me to take shelter and wait out a storm of some sort. Having lived in Missouri for the majority of my life, buckling down during a serious thunderstorm and other severe weather is nothing new.

The guidebook, however, describes today's card as the release of pent up energy. "Not all storms are destructive," we are reminded. "Rather, they serve nature by bringing rain to the ground and wind to the trees." This card suggests to us that yes, we are going to get a little wet, but after that period of time we will once again be bathed in the sunlight.

I view this card as a continuation of yesterday's message. We were blessed with advice on visualizing the life we want to lead, even through stormy times. How fitting that today we would get a card telling us a similar message.

Check back tomorrow for day 3!

Pagan Blog Project - D is for Depression

I suffer from major depressive disorder. At times it has been so bad that I have needed inpatient treatment. There is no shame in asking for help and making sure that you're in an environment where it isn't possible for you to harm yourself. I have survived a suicide attempt and know the benefit of psychiatric hospitals and caring staff. This post is going to be honest because otherwise there wouldn't be much of a point.

I have had days where it is near impossible to get out of bed. Sometimes I still encounter days like that. Through medication, therapy, and a positive outlook, I attempt to regain day to day control of my life. I try to embrace the diagnosis and take control so that I do not always suffer at the hands of depression. It is usually easier said than done.

The first thing I want to get across is that I am not less than because I suffer from a mental illness. I am not someone to be ignored, nor am I someone to be pitied. It can be difficult to live with depression, but even more so when attempting to live a spiritual life. To say that there are times I don't feel like meditating, reading up on Celtic Mythology, and celebrating an esbat, is an understatement if epic proportions.

It is okay. I know that deity understands the challenges I face and that I am not any less of a Pagan because of it. Some people deal with alcoholism, adultery, heart conditions, poor time management, and a variety of other issues in their lives. We are all Pagan if were hold the God and Goddess (sometimes both, other times one and not the other) in our hearts.

There is also a benefit to being Pagan and dealing with depression. We learn at an early stage in our metaphysical development that we can effect change through magic. While healing depression with magic is about as impossible as turning back time with the snap of two fingers, there are some beneficial things we can do. I would like to list some of these options now.


- Black Tourmaline has been exceptionally useful in my personal practice. I carry a tumbled stone with me wherever I go. I also like to hold my large piece of black tourmaline and imagine my depression symptoms being pulled into it.

- I like creating incense. I especially like the Happiness Incense recipe that I created. It seems to work for me, probably because I spend a lot of time giving it that association in my mind. Now, whenever I burn some happiness incense there is a connection between the incense and an uplifted attitude. It may be too simple to say it works because I say it works, but let's be honest here - a lot of magic works because we say it works. Just mix one part marjoram, one part lavender, and one part catnip. Burn on a charcoal disc and let the smoke carry your troubles away, my friend.

- Speaking to the God and Goddess is also useful. If I am experiencing a difficult time I will simply talk to them as though I am having a conversation with them. I do this when I am alone, of course, or people will really think I'm losing my mind.

Depression affects 1 in 10 Americans. If you are experiencing a period of depression that has lasted for at least two weeks, please seek assistance from a licensed medical professional. For some people therapy alone can effectively treat it. Others will require medication, or a combination of medication, therapy, and other treatments.

Day 1 - Field of Dreams

Here we go (on an adventure!)...

I have decided to use one of my new oracle decks with this challenge. I think the process will help me get more aquatinted with these cards while, at the same time, giving me an opportunity to test the accuracy of the cards and how that information meshes with my intuition. The deck I'm using is The Enchanted Map by Colette Baron-Reid.

Today's card is Field of Dreams. The imagery is so appealing that I feel as though I almost want to step inside of the card. The lush grass at the bottom contrasts beautifully with the blue sky. Instinct tells me that this card is a play on the old adage "you reap what you sew."

The guidebook suggests that drawing this card reflects a time of great abundance if one is willing to get to work and create it. Colette's suggestion is to concentrate on the best life you want regardless of the little things that may be currently holding us back.

"You have a basket full of seeds that are quite powerful, for your talents are Divinely inspired and will indeed lead to a great harvest to be shared with others. You will reap what you have sown." (p57)

Holy smokes, folks! Is my intuition keyed in or what? I promise that I did not cheat and look ahead before sharing what my instinct was telling me about the imagery of the card. How cool that I was spot on with the meaning?

Check back tomorrow afternoon for day 2.

Another Oracle Challenge? Yes!

She has done it again. Hibiscus Moon (who doesn't know who she is, right?) has once again administered a challenge to her subscribers and blog followers. Just as last time, the challenge is a 7 Day Oracle Challenge. I thought I would do something a little different this go around by posting the card drawings on my blog. It isn't that I'm shying away from youtube (though, to be honest, I do need a haircut) or afraid to put myself out there. I'm working on trusting my instinct right now, faithful readers, and following my gut is what I'm doing with this challenge.

Excited? Want to participate? Good!

I now challenge Y-O-U to do a 7-Day Oracle or Tarot reading. You can post it on your blog, on youtube, or even twitter! Make sure to leave a link in the comments so I can follow your journey.

A Healing Crystal Grid

My mother is in need of a lot of healing. She recently had surgery for cancer and has been admitted and discharged to the hospital three times within a month as a result of non-life-threatening complications. The surgery resulted in a large wound. The wound is healing, slowly but surely. I was called to create this grid to help the process go along smoothly.

I utilized two natural citrines, clear quartz, rose quartz, and smoky quartz. I was originally called to use ametrine but my instincts told me to choose chrysacolla instead, so I did just that. I cleansed the grid with selenite and black tourmaline prior to activating it as a little boost, though I'm sure it wasn't really necessary. Any positive healing energies you are able to project would be greatly appreciated.

Plans + Delay = Mercury Retrograde?

Just a quick update video from me. Stay tuned for updates by subscribing to my YouTube channel.